Advanced CRISPR gene editing technology coming to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute
Game changing technology will accelerate cancer research and potentially expedite translation of new treatments into clinical trials
The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI) is pleased to share that along with the appointment of new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Professor Marco Herold, he will bring expertise in cancer biology, and cutting-edge CRISPR technology to the Institute.
Advanced CRISPR gene engineering enables cancer researchers to precisely modify certain genes in pre-clinical models of disease at a much faster pace to accurately mimic human cancer. These revolutionary cancer models will accelerate the discovery of new treatment regimens and identify more tolerable and effective therapies for cancer patients.
Professor Herold joins the ONJCRI from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) and will officially commence his role as CEO and Head of La Trobe University’s School of Cancer Medicine on 20th March, 2023.
Professor Herold is excited to join the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and steer the Institute into a new phase of growth.
“My vision at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute is to improve treatments and outcomes for cancer patients, and to alleviate some of the negative aspects of existing treatment protocols, helping to improve quality of life for patients,” said Prof Herold.
“Introducing our advanced CRISPR tools into ONJCRI’s existing program is an incredible opportunity to extend on the Institute’s impressive track record of ‘basic research’ leading to clinical translation. This will help fast-track new treatments into clinical trials for patient benefit. We are uniquely placed to do this at ONJCRI, because of our co-location with leading clinical oncologists at Austin Health our discoveries in the laboratory can be quickly translated into patient trials. What this also means is that observations from the clinic can be investigated by our research teams – a continuous cycle of learning and improvement between scientific research and patient care.”
“Joining the ONJCRI as CEO is a fantastic opportunity for me to lead a highly collaborative research program between basic and clinical cancer researchers, striving to deliver new anti-cancer treatment regimens for patients,” he said.
The introduction of advanced CRISPR technology at the ONJCRI will not only accelerate breakthroughs at the Institute, but as Professor Ricky Johnstone, Executive Director of Cancer Research at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre explained; it will also increase the overall capacity in Australia to discover more effective treatments for cancer patients, quicker, as these technologies will also be available for other Institutes to access.
“Professor Herold is a world-renowned medical researcher who has utilized innovative CRISPR-based gene editing technology to answer complex biological questions. Professor Herold takes a collaborative approach to science ensuring that the work he is doing benefits others in the scientific community,” said Prof Johnstone.
“CRISPR-based gene editing technology is a new frontier in medical research, and we are fortunate to have Professor Herold’s expertise and skill in this area joining the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute to facilitate new discoveries and potentially new cancer medicines.”
“Professor Herold’s appointment as CEO at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute is celebrated by all of us at Peter Mac and we look forward to working closely with him in the coming years to enhance cancer research in Melbourne and indeed across the country,” he added.
Professor Herold will also take on the role as Head of the La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine.
La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar AO, welcomed Professor Herold into his new role.
“I’m delighted to welcome Professor Herold as Director of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, which also operates as the La Trobe School of Cancer Medicine, and look forward to working with him as he and our joint research team advance cutting-edge developments in cancer research and treatments. This exciting new advanced CRISPR technology will further accelerate cancer research into clinical trials, offering huge potential for patient health outcomes.”
Illustration of advanced CRISPR research techniques:
Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute Appoints New CEO
The Oliva Newton-John Cancer Research Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Professor Marco Herold.
Professor Herold officially commences his role as CEO and Head of La Trobe University’s School of Cancer Medicine on 20th March 2023.
As many of you will already know, Professor Herold has worked at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) since 2008 and served as a Laboratory Head in the Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division and Head of the Genome Editing Facility. He is a NHMRC L2 Investigator, a former Broomhead Centenary Fellow, and Honorary Professorial Fellow, University of Melbourne.
In his primary role as CEO of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI), he will lead research governance, bring together all necessary stakeholders to achieve the Institute’s strategic priorities, and deliver impact on the community through discovery and development of improved cancer therapeutics. This will include forging and sustaining critical connections with industry, fostering collaborations both within ONJCRI and with external entities; and capitalising on existing strengths, assets, and successes of ONJCRI.
Moreover, Professor Herold will amplify the Institute’s research capabilities through his leadership of a new Genome Engineering and Cancer Modelling Program. His research team will be focused on using advanced genome-wide CRISPR screening, including gene and base editing in vitro and in vivo, to discover drug resistance factors and targets that enhance immune therapies to improve cancer treatments for cancer patients.
Professor Herold is very excited to join the team at Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and steer the Institute into a new phase of growth.
“My vision at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute is two-fold; we will do everything in our power to improve treatments and outcomes for cancer patients, but we will also aim to alleviate some of the negative aspects of exiting treatment protocols, helping to improve quality of life,” said Prof Herold.
“This is a great opportunity for me to lead the staff and students at the ONJCRI and ensure our people are collaboratively striving to deliver maximum benefit to the community.”